Religious fundamentalism vs. truth, reality, science, and genuine spirituality

Christian fundamentalism vs. universal spiritual principles

Feb03
2012 Leave a Comment Written by samana

An exercise in critical thought

This is an exercise in critical thinking. Please consider the questions and statements in this post carefully and honestly.

Suppose there were a mandate stating that you must choose one of the following two options:

  1. A life of strict adherence to fundamentalist Christianity (Fundamentalist religion)
  2. A life of strict adherence to basic, universal spiritual principles (Secular ethics)

Choice #1: Adoption of a fundamentalist belief system

For these purposes, we will use the most popular fundamentalist belief system in the United States, which remains Christian fundamentalism. (We’re not labeling these beliefs as Christianity since we seriously doubt Jesus would ever support, much less teach, any brand of fundamentalism. Fundamentalist Christianity and true Christianity seem to have very little in common.)

Please use whatever terminology you prefer for the system of beliefs that commonly includes the following beliefs and practices:

  • Literal interpretation of the Bible, especially the New Testament
  • Jesus Christ is the only child of God; Jesus was/is a literal son of God
  • The Trinity – God, Jesus/son, Holy Ghost – is an actual, literal being (or set of beings)
  • On Judgment Day, God will judge all who’ve ever lived; each person (or each soul) will be sent to either Heaven or Hell for all eternity.
  • Heaven and Hell are literal places, not just states of mind or figures of speech.
  • Believers in any other religion, nonbelievers, atheists, agnostics, etc. — according to our beliefs and teachings — will probably not make it to Heaven.
  • As God has said, man is in charge of nature and can do whatever is needed.
  • Given that we believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, all its stories are true; the Bible represents actual, factual history. When there is disagreement between the Bible and science – or anything else – the Bible version is correct.

Choice #2: Adoption of basic, universal spiritual principles in a secular framework

There are many lists of basic, universal spiritual principles. Let’s use the list that ranks at the top of Google search results for those words, which happens to be the list of spiritual principles on the Search for Truth blog (which we’re quite happy about!). We won’t list all of the spiritual principles here, just as we didn’t list every single fundamentalist Christian belief above. Our reference to basic, universal spiritual principles includes the following, apart from any kind of supernatural, metaphysical, specifically religious beliefs:

  • Loving our neighbors and our enemies
  • Practicing non-violence; turning the other cheek
  • Practicing tolerance, acceptance, and respect for other cultures and religions
  • Living by the Golden Rule: Treating others as we would like to be treated
  • Telling the truth and being honest at our jobs, at home, and in all our communication
  • Refraining in general from criticizing, condemning, complaining, and judging others
  • Practicing compassion and brotherly love towards others
  • Maintaining an attitude of service toward others in a quest to make the world a better place
  • Applying spiritual principles not only in our dealings with others, but also in our relationship with everything else (e.g., pets, livestock, nature, the environment)

Questions to consider carefully and honestly

  1. Which path makes more sense from a reasonable, logical point of view?
  2. Which of the two priorities makes more sense in the pursuit of world peace?
  3. Which of the two paths leads more directly to inner peace?
  4. Which of the two is more likely to prevent conflict between people, groups, countries, etc.?
  5. Which of the two choices better promotes unity and oneness?
  6. Do religious fundamentalists tend to support political candidates who are more prone to go to war? Do religious fundamentalists tend to back the decision to engage in war?
  7. Think about the regions of the United States with the highest populations of religious fundamentalists. Are these regions known for their friendliness to their enemies, people with differing backgrounds, etc.? Why or why not?
  8. Which of the two choices is more suitable to the eventual success of the human race?

Questions whose answers are negated by the Appeal to authority
Caveat: In truth, it does not matter what other people believe. Arguing that view X is true because highly intelligent Mr. A believes it, actually represents the logical fallacy known as the Appeal to Authority.

  1. Which path has been traveled by more of history’s most intelligent individuals, such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson’s real views re: fundamentalist Christianity), Benjamin Franklin, Tenzin-the 14th Dalai Lama, George Washington, James Madison, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, Steve Jobs (a Christian’s view of SJ’s beliefs), et al?
  2. Which path is recommended by the greatest spiritual teachers of all time? (Examples: Lao-Tzu, Jesus, the Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh, Wayne Dyer, Dale Carnegie, et al)

More food for thought

Why aren’t more Christian fundamentalists serving in full-time missionary work?
If you are a staunch, unwavering believer in Christian fundamentalism -– that is, if you believe that all people who do not accept that Jesus is/was the only literal child of God will suffer eternal torture in a literal hell -– then how can you justify spending your time in any way other than missionary work? If you are a truly caring person, shouldn’t you be spreading the gospel to unbelievers to save them from suffering in fire and torture for millions of years? (This question makes the assumption that you are a person who genuinely cares for all of your human brothers and sisters.)

Intelligence and religious belief

Although opinions differ on the relationship of intelligence to religious belief, most modern studies indicate an inverse relationship between higher intelligence & higher education in contrast to fundamentalist religious belief/ affiliation. In other words, those with higher IQs and those with the most formal education tend to be less involved with religious belief systems (especially fundamentalist-style belief in which only one group is correct, and all the others wrong by default).

Further research is recommended.

Question 1
Why is it that the worlds most intelligent people don’t believe in religion, is this coincidental? (Here are few examples: Stephen Hawkings, Michio Kaku, Albert Einstein, and countless other people of significance.)

Answer
I have found that atheism is often a byproduct of inquisitiveness and critical thinking, both of which tend to be more often practiced within scientific and philosophical fields of research.

That most intelligent people reject theism is refuted by some of the resources below.

Resources: Christian fundamentalism vs. spiritual principles

Removed content
…; however, please also be aware that some of the beliefs above may prevent the full practice of basic, universal spiritual principles.

If you feel this list of Christian fundamentalist beliefs has received the short end of the stick, then feel free to include the universal spiritual principles as an additional item.

(It follows that these people, or their souls, will be sent to suffer in Hell forever.)

This post was started on Thursday, February 02, 2012.

Posted in Critical thinking, Fundamentalist religion - Tagged , , , ,

New Thought: A reasonable & practical religious belief system

Feb02
2012 Leave a Comment Written by samana

As a member of the fast-growing spiritual but not religious population, I enjoy researching various belief systems that might fall within this category. New Thought is one such system of spiritual and religious beliefs.

New Thought is a belief system that promotes the ideas listed below. I’ve never found a system of beliefs with which I entirely, honestly agreed – and New Thought, as a belief system, is no exception. I have briefly indicated where I might disagree, in parentheses below. Some of my dissension may stem from a lack of understanding re: the New Thought belief. I’ll have to educate myself on New Thought a bit more.

  • Infinite Intelligence (or Mother Nature, or God, or whatever one chooses to call it) is ubiquitous
  • Spirit is the sum of reality
  • Humanity is divine in nature
  • Divine thought is a force for good (I think of the Source as being more nonjudgmental than what most would consider as "good"; perhaps Divine thought here is meant to be something apart from the Source of all things)
  • Disease, sickness generally originates in the mind (I cannot agree with this particular tenet, as I believe some disease is clearly physical in origin)
  • “Right thinking” has a true physical, mental, and spiritual healing effect

New Thought is anything but religious fundamentalism, and that may be its single best characteristic — as far as I’m concerned, at least. New Thought seems to be far more concerned with basic, universal spiritual principles than external religious dogma, unfavorable religious baggage, supernatural stories, traditional myths, and so forth.

The material taught by New Thought’s most prominent, successful representatives — Wayne, Dyer, for example — rings true to my heart like no fundamentalism ever has.

New Thought is all inclusive and promotes unity in a way that no set of fundamentalist religious beliefs ever has.

Resources: New Thought as a system of beliefs

Posted in Popular beliefs - Tagged

Perennial philosophy, perennial truth: The way?

Jan27
2012 Leave a Comment Written by samana

It’s quite likely that my criticism of exclusive brands of religious fundamentalism in the past has detracted from my own spiritual health. In fact, there’s no doubt that it has.

I was saving this sort of material for the Greenism blog (at greenism.org, still in its infancy), but I’m strongly considering publishing more positive spiritual content here on the Search for Truth blog.

In his message to the public on the Centre for Spiritual Living, Edmonton’s website, Reverend Patrick Cameron writes:

Imagine a place that welcomes people of all races, religions, sexual orientations and social backgrounds in respect, dignity and love. A community that nurtures diversity and provides multitude of opportunities for anyone, at any stage of life, to grow spiritually. Imagine a spiritual community that communicates and celebrates the positive aspects of humankind, the world around us, and our relationship to the Power within. What would it be like to be part of a spiritual community that is practical and provides tangible steps and programs for individuals and families to change and apply spiritual principles in their lives immediately?

I’m quite sure that as time marches on, this type of spiritual tolerance will grow and fundamentalism will wane.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right terminology to describe the broad, universal spiritual principles being peddled here on Search for Truth and so many other "spiritual but not religious" sites and blogs. I was reminded — recently by Wayne Dyer, and again today by Rev. Cameron — that the concept known as the perennial philosophy or perennial truth is one possible way to describe our belief system. (Here I go again with labels…)

In a sense — on account of its openness, tolerance, and acceptance of all "paths to God" — the perennial truth or perennial philosophy might at first appear to be the antithesis of religious fundamentalism. But is it, really? I don’t think so…

Perennial philosophy and religious pluralism

Religious pluralism is the philosophical concept that states that various world religions are formed by their distinctive historical and cultural contexts and thus there is no single, true religion. There are only many equally valid religions.

Because every individual religion is a direct result of the originating culture’s attempt to grasp and understand the incomprehensible divine reality, each religion can hold an authentic but ultimately inadequate concept of divine reality. These diverse belief systems produce a collection of "partial understandings" of universal spiritual truth, which requires a type of applied syncretism to achieve a complete understanding as well as a path toward spiritual enlightenment, salvation, heaven, nirvana — or whatever you’d prefer to call the ultimate goal of practice.

Although the perennial philosophy shares the idea that there is no single true religion, it differs when discussing divine reality. Perennial philosophy states that the divine reality is what allows the universal truth to be understood.

Each religion provides its own interpretation of the universal truth, based on the relevant historical and cultural context. Therefore, each religion provides everything required to observe the divine reality and achieve a state in which one will be able to confirm the universal truth and achieve spiritual enlightenment or salvation. According to Aldous Huxley, in order to apprehend the divine reality, one must choose to fulfill certain conditions: “…making themselves loving, pure in heart, and poor in spirit.” Huxley argues that very few people can achieve this state. Those who have fulfilled these conditions, grasped the universal truth and interpreted it have generally been given the name of saint, prophet, sage or enlightened one. Huxley stated that those who have reached enlightenment “modified their merely human mode of being,” and were thus able to comprehend “more than merely human kind and amount of knowledge.”

Words always seem to fall short of the experience.

When it comes to interpretation of scripture, there’s obviously significant disagreement between the more rigid, exclusive fundamentalists and the more open and accepting perennial philosophers, universalists, followers of Eastern traditions, etc. The latter do not and cannot accept literal interpretations of scripture such as the Bible; we accept it as metaphor, being convinced it cannot reasonably be taken in a literal sense.

But frankly, I’ve largely shed the need or desire to specifically define the unseen realm and what happens therein. Perhaps all the attempts to do so is a large part of what gets us into trouble. We start to spin stories and possible interpretations, and the best-sounding ones — or those coming from the most popular, well-liked, or convincing people among us — begin to be taken as truth. Another religion is born…

No thank you.

For now, I shall do my level best to adhere to basic, universal spiritual principles.

Resources: Perennial philosophy, perennial truth

Posted in Philosophy - Tagged , , , , , ,

Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, by HHDL

Jan23
2012 Leave a Comment Written by samana

The latest audio book from the Dalai Lama: Fantastic!

Beyond Religion, by the Dalai Lama - coverA couple of nights ago, I decided to purchase the most powerful spiritual audiobook I could find; the candidates only had to be reasonably priced and fairly new – say, published in 2010 or later. It wasn’t long before I found this most recent book by His Holiness the Dalai Lama listed on the Audible website. It was a little pricey there, so I did some comparison shopping and bought it for around $17 on Amazon.

Even better, the gist of this book – that the proper way forward for all of humanity is to live according to basic universal spiritual principles, not religious fundamentalism – perfectly matches the mission of the Search for Truth blog and accurately describes the worldview of our primary contributing authors.

Executive summary of the book: His Holiness the Dalai Lama describes why religion is not a necessity in the pursuit of a genuinely spiritual life. The author stresses that the right way forward for all of humanity is fostering and enhancing the tolerance and understanding between religions, as well as between believers and non-believers; this applies to people of all faiths, religions, and spiritual paths.

HHDL the Dalai LamaSo far, all each review of this book I have located so far (via Google, five reviews so far) has resulted in a five-star rating! I am expecting big things of this book. I will of course write my own review after I have thoroughly consumed this book.

This audiobook was actually given away for a short time immediately after its publishing through December 20 – and of course I had no idea. One of the sites that informed readers of this audiobook giveaway was Closet Samples, a very pink and feminine couponing/ freebie website. I proceeded to subscribe to Closet Samples so as not miss out on similar deals in the future.

HHDL the Dalai LamaI have seen the book Beyond Religion categorized in the following sections:

  • Philosophy
  • Spirituality, General
  • Religion
  • Buddhism
  • Ethics

Description from the publisher

A stirring call to move beyond religion for the guidance to improve human life on individual, community, and global levels—including a guided meditation practice for cultivating key human values

Ten years ago, in his best-selling Ethics for the New Millennium, His Holiness the Dalai Lama first proposed an approach to ethics based on universal rather than religious principles. Now, in Beyond Religion, the Dalai Lama, at his most compassionate and outspoken, elaborates and deepens his vision for the nonreligious way. Transcending the mere “religion wars,” he outlines a system of secular ethics that gives tolerant respect to religion—those that ground ethics in a belief in God and an afterlife, and those that understand good actions as leading to better states of existence in future lives. And yet, with the highest level of spiritual and intellectual authority, the Dalai Lama makes a claim for what he calls a third way. This is a system of secular ethics that transcends religion as a way to recognize our common humanity and so contributes to a global human community based on understanding and mutual respect.

Beyond Religion is an essential statement from the Dalai Lama, a blueprint for all those who yearn for a life of spiritual fulfillment as they work for a better world.

(Source: Amazon)

From News Blaze review
Martin Sheen narrates the Beyond Religion audiobook

With the rise of secularism around the world this is becoming an ever more important question – can humans have a strong ethical system even without religion? According to many Western religions the answer has long been a resounding NO – one emphatic enough to lead to burnings and torture, but can the world continue to survive much longer with such a narrow viewpoint?

In particular this book addresses the possibility of developing a universal code of ethics which could be accepted by theistic and non-theistic religious groups as well as non-religious individuals.

I could be wrong but I would summarize the basic thesis as: “You can be human (in the higher sense) without religion but not without ethics.”

Source: Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World Book Review – News Blaze

Resources: Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World

Resources: Book reviews of Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World

  1. Book review: ‘Beyond Religion’ by the Dalai Lama – LA Times
  2. Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World Book Review – News Blaze
  3. The Dalai Lama’s latest book to hit stands today – Phayul
  4. Review of ‘Beyond Religion’ by the Dalai Lama – Kirkus Reviews – Excerpt: An impressive guide for teaching religious tolerance and respect to readers of all ages…
  5. Kate’s Reviews > Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World – Excerpt: The book is very well thought out and intelligent. It is also peppered with notes, stories, and anecdotes from the Dalai Lama’s own life and from various scientific or psychological studies that support his views, which I found to be quite intriguing. I would recommend this book to anyone who really wants to evaluate their belief systems or who is just interested in ethics in society today.
  6. Book review: Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World – Spirituality & Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys
  7. Indie Bound
  8. Better Than Faith – Review: Beyond Religion – Excerpt: Because of this, rather than the preachy and unsupported religious mandates conveyed by so many religious leaders, in his book Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, the Dalai Lama appropriately shows one of the great differences between Buddhism and most Western religions by championing good ideas because they are good, not because we have been commanded to do them. He explains why he believes that these things are good for us, for the rest of the world, and why other things are not.
  9. Better World Books – Review: Beyond Religion – Excerpt: A stirring call to move beyond religion for the guidance to improve human life on individual, community, and global levels–including a guided meditation practice for cultivating key human values
  10. Amazon reviews of Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World

Other resources

  • Closet Samples: Free samples, deals, coupons, product reviews, and giveaways
  • My Little Corner of the World – I found this little personal blog during a search for HHDL images, and I really appreciate the overall attitude and message the author conveys; it seems to agree with our premise, which is essentially, humanity will move forward more peaceably and happily as basic, universal spiritual principles gradually replace old-school, fundamentalist belief systems.

This post was started on Sunday, January 22, 2012

Posted in Books - Tagged , , ,

Random notes from January 2012

Jan15
2012 Leave a Comment Written by samana

This page consists of various timely notes not yet ready for their own posts. (January 2012)

Healthy living

The One Conversation: ‘We Are Each Born With a Gift and an Emptiness’ – Huffington Post, Healthy Living section – Mark Nepo article – Excerpt:

I keep returning to the ever-present riddle that being who we are is the necessary adventure. It unlocks everything, not because our self is so important but because our essential nature that our self carries is the immediate doorway to everything that is life-sustaining. We learn early on that being who we are means fending off unwanted influence without cutting ourselves off from the chance to learn from others. Regardless of the culture we are born into, it isn’t long after we arrive that everyone starts pointing and telling us where we need to be and what we need to do to get there. There’s no time to really ask why. Soon, things happen and we are thrown off course and now there’s all this effort to win their approval, no matter who “they” are. If lucky, love will distract us more than suffering. If blessed, we are broken of everyone’s plans and regrets and thrown like a hooded bird into a sea of light. If trusting the fall, we find our wings.

Religion and spirituality

Theosophy

Theosophy refers to systems of speculation or investigation seeking direct knowledge of the mysteries of being and nature, with particular concern on the nature of Divinity. Theosophy is also considered a part of the broader field of esotericism, referring to hidden knowledge or wisdom that offers the individual enlightenment and salvation. The theosophist seeks to understand the mysteries of the universe and the bonds that unite the universe, humanity and the divine world. The goal is to explore the origin of divinity and humanity (theogony and anthropogeny) including the end of world, life and humanity (eschatology). Then, from investigation of these discover a coherent description of the purpose and origin of the universe (cosmogony). The theosophist inquires into the hieroglyphs of nature (insights, or poetic meaning, in flowers, rainbows, etc.), using a method of interpretation founded upon a specific myth or revelation, to apply active imagination in order to draw forth symbolic meanings and further their pursuit of knowledge toward a complete understanding of these mysteries.
Source: Adapted from Wikipedia entry for theosophy

Esotericism

Esotericism (aka esoterism) signifies the holding of esoteric opinions or beliefs: ideas preserved or understood by a small group or those specially initiated, or of rare/ unusual interest.

Esotericism can also refer to the academic study of esoteric religious movements and philosophies, or more generally of alternative or marginalized religious movements or philosophies whose proponents distinguish their beliefs, practices, and experiences from mainstream institutionalized traditions.

Examples of esoteric religious movements and philosophies include Alchemy, Astrology, Anthroposophy, early Christian mysticism, Magic, Mesmerism, Rosicrucianism, Swedenborgianism, Spiritualism, the Christian theosophy of Jacob Böhme, and the theosophical currents associated with Helena Blavatsky and her followers. There are competing views regarding the common traits uniting these currents, not all of which involve “inwardness”, mystery, occultism or secrecy as a crucial trait.
Source: Adapted from Wikipedia entry for esotericism

Religion and the American Presidency

Moderated by author and NPR national religion correspondent, Barbara Bradley Hagerty, the discussion will kick off the release of a new edition of an acclaimed book on presidents and their faith, co-edited by George Mason University Professor Dr. Mark Rozell. The book, Religion and the American Presidency, reveals religion’s influence on the lives and decisions of American Presidents.

Along with PRRI’s Daniel Cox, I co-authored the essay included in this book about how President Obama’s faith has shaped his political career and his presidency. Additional details about the book can be found on Amazon:

Religion and the American Presidency (The Evolving American Presidency) – Amazon.com

Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective, by Mark Epstein

Published in 2004
Description: Thoughts Without a Thinker is the landmark book that brought the worlds of Buddhism and psychotherapy into contact with each other, and changed thousands of lives. Drawing upon his own experience as therapist, meditator, and patient, Mark Epstein, a New York-based psychiatrist trained in classical Freudian methods, integrates Western psychotherapy and the teachings of Buddhism.In accessible, intimate language, this enlightening guide explains the unique psychological contributions of the teachings of Buddhism, describes the path of meditation in contemporary psychological language, and lays out the possibility of a meditation-inspired psychotherapy. Mark Epstein’s new introduction reflects on the impact of the book and on the evolving relationship between psychotherapy and Buddhism.

Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective – Amazon.com

Posted in Misc. - Tagged , ,

Present-day Pharisees honor the Tebow trend

Dec24
2011 1 Comment Written by samana

While the rest of us roll our eyes

tebowing craze, tebowing fad - it even has a logo nowI was the only family member at our recent family Christmas dinner who was not yet familiar with the current fad known as tebowing: kneeling down on one knee in public places to pray in imitation of Tim Tebow, a religious football star I’d never heard of. When I learned that this superficial religious practice is actually becoming popular and being taken seriously (or even admired) in some circles, I rolled my eyes and instantly thought of a single word from the Bible: Pharisees.

Bill Maher comments on Tebow

What does tebowing mean? To tebow is "to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different." That’s according to Tebowing.com, your new Internet home for tebowing.

Bill Maher comments on Tebow, again

This post briefly addresses the issue of public prayer and what spiritual teachers have to say about praying and privacy – and also has some sport with the lighter side of the tebowing trend. Although the titling of this article might imply this material is wholly & purely in jest, there is a serious element being discussed here. Perhaps the present tebowing craze will cause some people to carefully consider the issue of public prayer. I hope so.

tebowing craze, tebowing fad - it even has a logo nowTebowing is a glowing example of why effective spiritual teachers throughout history have not condoned or encouraged such public displays. Tebowing is definitely representative of why spiritual gurus – including Jesus – taught their listeners to pray in private, behind closed doors.

(I just read that Saturday Night Live is doing whatever it can to book Tim Tebow on the show tonight – it’s true!)

The Bible tells me so…
It’s interesting to note that the Christian sect known as the Church of Christ – the preferred religious flavor of my own family of origin – supposedly charted a course apart from other popular Christian denominations (Southern Baptists, Methodists, etc.). Growing up, we were taught that the Church of Christ is all about following the Bible as closely as possible (well, only the New Testament…).

(NOTE: The Church of Christ is mentioned because that’s what I was taught to believe – not because of anything having to do with Tim Tebow.)

tebowing craze, tebowing fad - it even has a logo nowThere is no authoritative or ruling body over the Church of Christ, such that can be found administering most other Protestant Christian churches – simply because such governance isn’t in the Bible. You’ll not hear the sound of musical instruments being played during Church of Christ worship services – because using musical instruments was not mandated in the New Testament. And so on – because the Bible says so.

Yet, pretentious public prayers endlessly blow through churches across the globe…

Jesus did not mince words when he advised his listeners against Tebow-style prayers, suggesting that folks pray in private; yet, in modern Christian life, we see and hear public prayer after repetitious public prayer. WWJD? Not that. He’d be rolling his eyes, too. If the Church of Christ believes it is following the Bible as closely as possible, what’s the deal with all the long-winded public prayers? Clearly, standing in front of hundreds of people and uttering a prayer out loud does not agree with how Jesus taught his friends to pray.

What the Bible says about praying in private

When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6)

What the Bible says about giving in secret

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6: 1-4)

Praying in public is another fundamentalist Christian conundrum.

Long-winded, repetitious prayer in front of large groups – a longtime Protestant standard – has to be one of the most prevalent and unfortunate conundrums in modern Christian fundamentalism. (Other Christian conundrums include the tendency to vote for politicians who support wars, and the general willingness to go to war – in spite of their religion’s emphasis on loving one’s enemies, the Golden Rule, etc.; belief in a loving God who is also supposed to judge all and send non-believers to suffer eternal torture in hell; and so on…)

Aside
Three 2012 Republican presidential aspirants claimed that God actually called on them to be president. Seriously though, if God called for all three of them to be president, isn’t he just f&%$*ng with two of them?! :) (Source: Bill Maher)

Tebowing is the new planking.

At first, I assumed tebowing was wholly serious despite its caustic, brow-raising attributes; however, after a bit of web research (to create this riveting tebowing content), it seems that tebowing is evolving into a joke. I wasn’t smiling much when I started writing this, but the grins did come after I saw some increasingly creative tebowing photos. (Tebowing.com has a growing tebowing photo gallery.)

In essence, tebowing has become just like planking. Yes, tebowing is the new planking – and photos being posted on the Internet will clearly show this.

Break out the oil for the squeaky wheels.

Trends such as tebowing have foreseeable effects upon the American populace. It’s completely predictable and natural that some people are pushing the envelope a bit far in their ridicule of tebowing. Just as predictable – but perhaps even more worthy of a great big yawn and a hearty meh – is the fact that people are offended by the tebowing jokes.

The first complaint I noticed coming directly from a tebowing humor offendee came from an apparent religious fundamentalist:

Mocking God is not wise. Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

I seriously doubt that most of the people seeing the humor in Tebowing are actually mocking Mother Nature, or God, or whatever you prefer to call the Source of everything. It appears to me they’re simply having a laugh at the audacity, effrontery, and – yes, the plain silliness – of such public, obviously showy religious displays – which is eerily similar to what Jesus was doing as he derided the Pharisees who were praying in public.

Be the first one with a Tebowing shirt!

Resources: Praying in public, the Tebow trend, religiosity

Resources: The lighter side of this tebowing trend

Still questioning what the Bible really has to say about prayer and privacy?

Anyone who’s being truthful, objective, and intellectually honest – and who has actually read the Bible – will admit that much of the Bible consists of poetry, parable, metaphor, cultural tales, and so on. The result is that there are seemingly endless possible interpretations. But when it comes to prayer and privacy, there’s not much wiggle room for creative invention; Jesus spoke clearly and plainly on the subject.

Scriptural support for private prayer

Matthew 6: 5-7
5 When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Jesus clearly states we are to pray as follows:

  1. Go into the inner room
  2. Close the door
  3. Pray in secret; what is done in secret will be rewarded
  4. Do not engage in wordy prayers or meaningless repetition

In summary, our prayers should be in private – not in front of others; we are not to repeat things over and over again or be too wordy.

Matthew 14:23
23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

Matthew 26:36
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

Mark 1:35
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.

Mark 6:46
46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.

Luke 5:16
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Luke 9:18
18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

Luke 22:45
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

Acts 10:9
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

Matthew 23:14
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

Mark 12:40
40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Scriptural support for praying in public

I have not managed to locate any evidence of Jesus praying in front of an audience or at the end of a speaking engagement or meeting – or of his ever encouraging anything resembling public prayer.
(end of section)

Modern Christian fundamentalism is misguided at best.

If Jesus were here today and attended a church service, he would be disinterested, offended, or perhaps even flabbergasted and stunned at the things he would see and hear going on at the typical church service.

Modern fundamentalist Christianity is a cluster which has almost entirely missed the mark. Jesus taught that we are not to worry about anything, that we should not be attached to anything, and that we will be happiest if we live according to simple, basic, spiritual principles.

Modern Christian fundamentalism has missed the forest for the trees; over time, it has built up a multi-layered system of dogma – and for some reason has drawn away from reason & evolved toward an illogical, fideistic brand of faith in which the Bible is interpreted more literally and less rationally. The rejection of science – especially when it conflicts with certain ancient tales – has become more en vogue than ever.

The Bible was not meant to be interpreted literally by modern man – but the fact that it often is helps to explain some of the strange, conflicting, & irreconcilable beliefs held by many of the more conservative, evangelical, hard-right believers.

Removed content
Aside: How many people across the globe do you suppose have added tebowing to their computer application dictionaries, just to keep from seeing that annoying squiggly red underline?! (I did…)

Tim reportedly quoted a Bible verse, or at least came close:

As iron sharpens iron, men sharpen men.

Proverbs 27:17

(Evolution is real; just look at tebowing…)
Tebowing has become a joke: it’s the new planking!

Next, tebowing goes porno: Teblowing.com! :(

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Posted in Christianity - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Critical thinking: Teaching higher education students to think critically

Dec23
2011 Leave a Comment Written by samana

Post contents:

  • Introduction: Critical thinking defined
  • Suggested resource: Handbook for higher education
  • Worthwhile PDFs on the subject (short, informative, relevant)
  • Article collection: Critical thinking in higher education

    • instruction

  • Sample assignment from handbook
  • More

Introduction: Critical thinking defined

According to studies, critical thinking is not typically picked up by most students on their own, and that it’s not necessarily an innate ability – indicating that critical thinking should be specifically taught. The trend toward standardized testing undermines instructors’ ability to address critical thinking in the classroom. (See Barriers to Critical Thinking section, PDF 3)

Suggested resource: $20 handbook

Critical Thinking Handbook: Basic Theory and Instructional Structures – This handbook provides an outline of the most fundamental theory of critical thinking. In addition, it provides ideas for incorporating the theory into the structure of the curriculum. Included is theory on the elements of reasoning, intellectual standards, intellectual traits, content as a mode of thinking, the affective dimension of thinking, along with structures for student self-assessment, grading policies, and general tactical/ structural recommendations. We consider the handbook essential for understanding the basic theory, as well as for developing a curriculum with critical thinking at its very foundation. (Source: Critical Thinking: Basic Theory and Instructional Structures Handbook)

Sample assignment from the Critical Thinking Handbook (above)

Directions: This assignment is designed to assess your critical thinking problem solving, and communication skills. Your answer will be judged for its clarity, relevance, coherence, logic, depth, consistency, and fairness. More specifically, the reader will be asking the following questions:

  1. Is the question at issue well stated? Is it clear and unbiased? Does the expression of the question do justice to the complexity of the matter at issue?
  2. Does the writer cite relevant evidence, experiences, and/or information essential to the issue?
  3. Does the writer clarify key concepts when necessary?
  4. Does the writer show a sensitivity to what he or she is assuming or taking for granted? (Insofar as those assumptions might reasonably questioned)?
  5. Does the writer develop a definite line of reasoning, explaining well how he or she is arriving at his or her conclusions?
  6. Is the writer¹s reasoning well- supported?
  7. Does the writer show a sensitivity to alternative points of view or lines of reasoning? Does he or she consider and respond to objections framed from other points of view?
  8. Does the writer show a sensitivity to the implications and consequences of the position he or she has taken?

Example question in the area of politics

There is a growing number of Americans who do not vote in national and local elections. Many of them explain their non-participation by saying that their vote would not make a difference.

Some go on to argue that this is true because ³money plays such a large role in elections that the candidate with the highest paid, and the highest quality, media campaign wins.² Most people agree that money sometimes plays an inappropriate role in determining the outcome of elections.

Develop a proposed solution to this problem that takes into account the view that people and organizations with money have a right to use that money to advance political causes they believe in. If you like, you may decide to develop a position to the effect that there is no solution to the problem and that we have no choice but to accept the status quo.

Teaching critical thinking: The kinds of questions to ask and assign

The best and most practical advice for teaching critical thought in higher education is this:

In their research, Haynes and Bailey emphasized the importance of asking the right questions to stimulate students’ critical thinking skills. Other researchers also focused on integrating questioning techniques into class discussions to support an educational environment where students can demonstrate and practice critical thinking skills. Brown and Kelley’s book, Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking, documented the premise that students’ critical thinking is best supported when instructors use critical questioning techniques to engage students actively in the learning process.

Sample questions from all these studies

  1. What do you think about this?
  2. Why do you think that?
  3. What is your knowledge based upon?
  4. What does it imply and presuppose?
  5. What explains it, connects to it, and/or leads from it?
  6. How are you viewing it?
  7. Should it be viewed differently?

These questions require students to evaluate the clarity and accuracy of their thinking as well as the depth and breadth of their thinking. Have they considered all the alternatives? Do they know why they think the way they do? Students need to determine whether the content they are using is relevant and if their thinking process is logical. By questioning their thought process, students can begin thinking about their thinking.

Critical thinking exercises for accounting and related areas

You could create an assignment similar to the one above, but in the area of accounting, finance, financial reporting, auditing, etc.

I imagine auditing would be a rich area for critical thinking exercises.

Definitions of critical thinking

Critical thinking has been described as:

  1. Reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do
  2. Thinking about thinking
  3. The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
  4. The process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment, which uses reasoned consideration to evidence, context, conceptualizations, methods, and criteria.
  5. Within the critical social theory philosophical frame, critical thinking is commonly understood to involve:
    • commitment to the social and political practice of participatory democracy,
    • willingness to imagine or remain open to considering alternative perspectives,
    • willingness to integrate new or revised perspectives into our ways of thinking and acting,
    • willingness to foster criticality in others

(Source: Wikipedia on critical thinking)

Resources: Teaching students to think critically

PDFs about critical thinking in higher education

Post started on Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Posted in Critical thinking - Tagged , , , , ,

Freethought and Buddhism

Dec23
2011 Leave a Comment Written by samana

It is proper for you, Kalamas [the people of the village of Kesaputta], to doubt, to be uncertain; uncertainty has arisen in you about what is doubtful. meditation, a prime spiritual practiceCome, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another’s seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, ‘The monk is our teacher.’ Kalamas, when you yourselves know: ‘These things are bad; these things are blameable; these things are censured by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill, abandon them. “…Do not accept anything by mere tradition… Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures… Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your pre-conceived notions… But when you know for yourselves—these things are moral, these things are blameless, these things are praised by the wise, these things, when performed and undertaken, conduce to well-being and happiness — then do you live acting accordingly.

The year 1600 is considered the beginning of the era of modern freethought.

Freethought publications

Skeptical Inquirer
Skeptic (U.S. magazine)
The Skeptic (UK_magazine)
Skepticism
Scientific skepticism
Critical thinking
Freethought
Pseudoscience
The Skeptic’s Dictionary
Snopes.com
The Straight Dope
FactCheck

Resources
Wapedia on freethought: a type of freethought was advocated in Buddhism by Gautama Buddha; e.g., Kalama Sutta

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Freethought#1.

This post was started on Monday, July 11, 2011

Posted in Buddhism - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Religious conversion tactics and brainwashing

Dec14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by samana

How to convert people to religious fundamentalism, cults

Sunset near Green Hills - Nashville, TNNOTE: I’ve barely started on this, but I decided to post it anyway.

I thought it would be interesting to examine common but effective tactics used to convert others to their way of thinking – be it a set of religious beliefs, a cult, or some other brainwashing type exercise. This knowledge is not secret – relatively little remains completely veiled in this age of information; however, knowledge of some of these methods seems to remain limited. Also, there’s a lot of fear surrounding this subject, for no one wants to learn they have been suckered into believing certain things that are not really true.

Some of the standard claims relate to:

  1. Possession of special knowledge
  2. Others who believe in X
  3. Obtaining pleasure
  4. Promise of some future reward
  5. Supernatural events on some level

Resources: Religious conversion tactics & indoctrination techniques

Other notable resources to check out later

Posted in Fundamentalist religion - Tagged , , ,

Separation of church and state in the U.S.

Nov29
2011 2 Comments Written by samana

Is there a solid constitutional basis for this ideal?

Lindsley Avenue church - Nashville, TNA resounding YES is our answer, which we will virtually prove. It is crystal clear that the intention of the Founding Fathers was not to mix religion with the new government.

NOTE: This unorganized, unfinished post needs more work, but I decided to publish it anyway. I’m glad I did, because the first comment below (from Doug I.) makes a very good point… Also, please cast your vote in our poll re: the separation of church and state.

Yes, the title of this post refers to the separation of church and state as an ideal. Counting myself among the great many who regard the separation of church and state as a gold standard, this writer operates on the firm belief that the separation of church and state – such that it is – rests on a solid foundation of apparent and implied Founding Father intent.

So what happened?

city lights at nightIt was with mild disappointment and confusion that I recently retracted some comments I made elsewhere in this blog in which I excitedly voiced my support of Ron Paul’s platform. For whatever reason(s), I’d always assumed that anyone calling himself a Libertarian or a Constitutionalist naturally supported the separation of church and state. Man, was I wrong!

(Had I only followed the basic spiritual principle of not making assumptions, it would not have been a surprise.)

I educated myself further on the political platform of Ron Paul, only to learn that he is not a supporter of the separation of church and state idea – not at all. Despite my admiration for most of Ron Paul’s platform, this is a major issue – one I cannot overlook.

No one who shuns the separation of church and state ideal will be getting my vote.

These words hail from the wit of Dusty, a member of Ron Paul’s Liberty Forums from North Carolina using a “Screw the U.N.” avatar. (For a brief moment I thought Ron Paul was the author.)

The notion of a rigid separation between church and state has no basis in either the text of the Constitution or the writings of our Founding Fathers. On the contrary, our Founders’ political views were strongly informed by their religious beliefs. Certainly the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both replete with references to God, would be aghast at the federal government’s hostility to religion. The establishment clause of the First Amendment was simply intended to forbid the creation of an official state church like the Church of England, not to drive religion out of public life. Source: Christmas in Secular America: Ron Paul Liberty Forums

Ridiculous!

church buildingSo, this is my question:
Is there a reasonably clear intended basis for the separation of church and state? Please cast your vote below.

More of Ron Paul against the separation of church and state
In the December 2003 article Christmas in Secular America, Ron Paul wrote,

The Founding Fathers envisioned a robustly Christian yet religiously tolerant America, with churches serving as vital institutions that would eclipse the state in importance. Throughout our nation’s history, churches have done what no government can ever do, namely teach morality and civility. Moral and civil individuals are largely governed by their own sense of right and wrong, and hence have little need for external government. This is the real reason the collectivist Left hates religion: Churches as institutions compete with the state for the people’s allegiance, and many devout people put their faith in God before putting their faith in the state. Knowing this, the secularists wage an ongoing war against religion, chipping away bit by bit at our nation’s Christian heritage. Christmas itself may soon be a casualty of that war.

Ron Paul: no separation of church and stateIn 2005, Paul introduced the We the People Act, which would have removed “any claim involving the laws, regulations, or policies of any State or unit of local government relating to the free exercise or establishment of religion” from the jurisdiction of federal courts. If made law, this provision would purportedly permit state, county, and local governments to decide whether to allow displays of religious text and imagery – and whether to ban atheists from public office – but would not interfere with the application of relevant federal law.

I don’t necessarily have a problem with allowing states and local jurisdictions from employing such laws; reducing federal power and giving more to states and locals is generally a good thing. But I’d not want to live in an area that would vote in a law against atheists, even though I am not an atheist (per most definitions, anyway); such a law would be an affront to religious freedom, freethinking, and critical thought.

Resources: The separation of church and state

Ron Paul & the separation of church and state

Resources: Is there a reasonably clear intended basis for the separation of church and state?

Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists:

The Final Letter, as Sent

To messers. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen:
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Th Jefferson, Jan. 1. 1802.
Source: Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists


Is there a reasonable basis for the separation of church and state?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Jump back to the top

Posted in Founding fathers - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries

Calendar

February 2012
M T W T F S S
« Jan    
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
272829